Nigeria, China recommit to more bilateral, cultural relations

By Hameed M Bello

Nigeria and China have agreed to further boost their existing bilateral and cultural ties to deepen partnership between both countries. 

This emerged at a meeting between Vice President Kashim Shettima and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing on Tuesday October 17.

Shettima is in Beijing to attend the 3rd “Belt and Road” International Cooperation Summit Forum as representative of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

Han Zheng said that under the leadership of the two heads of state, China-Nigeria friendly exchanges and practical cooperation have flourished.

China, Zheng said, has always viewed China-Nigeria relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and is willing to work with Nigeria to further enhance political mutual trust, jointly promote modernization, and create a model of unity and cooperation among major developing countries. In the 10 years since the Belt and Road Initiative was proposed, it has become a public product and cooperation platform recognized by the international community.

According to him, Nigeria is a pilot country for China-Africa cooperation in jointly building the “Belt and Road”. 

He said China is willing to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in various fields and lead the improvement and upgrading of China-Africa cooperation.

Shettima said that Nigeria is grateful to China for its long-term support to Nigeria and African countries. The “Belt and Road” initiative provides important guidance for international development cooperation. Nigeria is willing to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with China and continuously deepen the strategic partnership between Nigeria and China.